WAUSAU, Wis. &#8211; An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it &#8212; an Iraq war veteran &#8212; claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

A day after the parade, police returned the flag and the man's protest &#8212; over a liquor license &#8212; continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is considering legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s' First Amendment rights, Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said.

"It is not often that you see something this blatant," Ahmuty said.

In mid-June, Congine, 46, began flying the flag upside down &#8212; an accepted way to signal distress &#8212; outside the restaurant he wants to open in Crivitz, a village of about 1,000 people some 65 miles north of Green Bay.

He said his distress is likely bankruptcy because the village board refused to grant him a liquor license after he spent nearly $200,000 to buy and remodel a downtown building for an Italian supper club.

Congine's upside-down-flag represents distress to him; to others in town, it represents disrespect of the flag.

Hours before a Fourth of July parade, four police officers went to Congine's property and removed the flag under the advice of Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey.

WAUSAU, Wis.  An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it  an Iraq war veteran  claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

A day after the parade, police returned the flag and the man's protest  over a liquor license  continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is considering legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s' First Amendment rights, Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said.

"It is not often that you see something this blatant," Ahmuty said.

In mid-June, Congine, 46, began flying the flag upside down  an accepted way to signal distress  outside the restaurant he wants to open in Crivitz, a village of about 1,000 people some 65 miles north of Green Bay.

He said his distress is likely bankruptcy because the village board refused to grant him a liquor license after he spent nearly $200,000 to buy and remodel a downtown building for an Italian supper club.

Congine's upside-down-flag represents distress to him; to others in town, it represents disrespect of the flag.

Hours before a Fourth of July parade, four police officers went to Congine's property and removed the flag under the advice of Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey.

WAUSAU, Wis.  An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it  an Iraq war veteran  claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

A day after the parade, police returned the flag and the man's protest  over a liquor license  continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is considering legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s' First Amendment rights, Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said.

"It is not often that you see something this blatant," Ahmuty said.

In mid-June, Congine, 46, began flying the flag upside down  an accepted way to signal distress  outside the restaurant he wants to open in Crivitz, a village of about 1,000 people some 65 miles north of Green Bay.

He said his distress is likely bankruptcy because the village board refused to grant him a liquor license after he spent nearly $200,000 to buy and remodel a downtown building for an Italian supper club.

Congine's upside-down-flag represents distress to him; to others in town, it represents disrespect of the flag.

Hours before a Fourth of July parade, four police officers went to Congine's property and removed the flag under the advice of Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey.

The man did nothing wrong, and the village government did everything wrong.

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Bullshit. Flying the flag upside is a desecration to the flag. This man was not under distress, he was protesting in a way that would have shown a great amount of disrespect to our flag on a day when he, as a veteran, should have been honoring that flag and what he and those before him fought for. Fuck this guy, he should have known better.

WAUSAU, Wis.  An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it  an Iraq war veteran  claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

A day after the parade, police returned the flag and the man's protest  over a liquor license  continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is considering legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s' First Amendment rights, Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said.

"It is not often that you see something this blatant," Ahmuty said.

In mid-June, Congine, 46, began flying the flag upside down  an accepted way to signal distress  outside the restaurant he wants to open in Crivitz, a village of about 1,000 people some 65 miles north of Green Bay.

He said his distress is likely bankruptcy because the village board refused to grant him a liquor license after he spent nearly $200,000 to buy and remodel a downtown building for an Italian supper club.

Congine's upside-down-flag represents distress to him; to others in town, it represents disrespect of the flag.

Hours before a Fourth of July parade, four police officers went to Congine's property and removed the flag under the advice of Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey.

The man did nothing wrong, and the village government did everything wrong.

Click to expand...

Bullshit. Flying the flag upside is a desecration to the flag. This man was not under distress, he was protesting in a way that would have shown a great amount of disrespect to our flag on a day when he, as a veteran, should have been honoring that flag and what he and those before him fought for. Fuck this guy, he should have known better.

Click to expand...

Nope it is historically and traditional well known flying the flag upside down is a distress call.

War veterans are asking Americans across the country to fly their flags upside down this Fourth of July weekend. They say its a sign of distress and a protest against the Veterans Administration.

A small group of veterans picketed outside the Canandaigua VA Hospital Wednesday afternoon. They were protesting the closing of VA hospitals across the country. They say those that aren't closing are being sold off or leased to outside interests, depriving veterans the treatment they have earned.

Displaying the American flag upside down, however, is considered by some to be disrespectful.

We're not disgracing the flag but telling the public be on the alert, said Gene Simes, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. This is a distress call."

The man did nothing wrong, and the village government did everything wrong.

Click to expand...

Bullshit. Flying the flag upside is a desecration to the flag. This man was not under distress, he was protesting in a way that would have shown a great amount of disrespect to our flag on a day when he, as a veteran, should have been honoring that flag and what he and those before him fought for. Fuck this guy, he should have known better.

Click to expand...

Nope it is historically and traditional well known flying the flag upside down is a distress call.

War veterans are asking Americans across the country to fly their flags upside down this Fourth of July weekend. They say it&#8217;s a sign of distress and a protest against the Veterans Administration.

A small group of veterans picketed outside the Canandaigua VA Hospital Wednesday afternoon. They were protesting the closing of VA hospitals across the country. They say those that aren't closing are being sold off or leased to outside interests, depriving veterans the treatment they have earned.

Displaying the American flag upside down, however, is considered by some to be disrespectful.

&#8220;We're not disgracing the flag but telling the public be on the alert,&#8221; said Gene Simes, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. &#8220;This is a distress call."

The vets believe their message is not being received.

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Click to expand...

I bolded the part that is not from the link you provided. I assume it is opinion, correct?

I recognized in my post that it is a distress call, but he wasn't under any distress. He isn't using it to bring notice to veterans rights, he is protesting the fact that he can't have a god damned liquor license. It was disrespectful. He knows it. The cops knew it, I know it and you know it.

When not in actual distress, flying the flag upside down is a desecration.

I recognized in my post that it is a distress call, but he wasn't under any distress. He isn't using it to bring notice to veterans rights, he is protesting the fact that he can't have a god damned liquor license. It was disrespectful. He knows it. The cops knew it, I know it and you know it.

When not in actual distress, flying the flag upside down is a desecration.

I recognized in my post that it is a distress call, but he wasn't under any distress. He isn't using it to bring notice to veterans rights, he is protesting the fact that he can't have a god damned liquor license. It was disrespectful. He knows it. The cops knew it, I know it and you know it.

When not in actual distress, flying the flag upside down is a desecration.

I recognized in my post that it is a distress call, but he wasn't under any distress. He isn't using it to bring notice to veterans rights, he is protesting the fact that he can't have a god damned liquor license. It was disrespectful. He knows it. The cops knew it, I know it and you know it.

When not in actual distress, flying the flag upside down is a desecration.

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But is it a criminal offence?

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Were criminal charges filed?

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I have no idea. But that doesn't address my question - you said flying the flag upside down is a desecration. That's as may be, but is it a criminal offence in Wisconsin? If it is then the DA and police acted properly; if it isn't then the DA and police didn't act properly.

Bullshit. Flying the flag upside is a desecration to the flag. This man was not under distress, he was protesting in a way that would have shown a great amount of disrespect to our flag on a day when he, as a veteran, should have been honoring that flag and what he and those before him fought for. Fuck this guy, he should have known better.

Click to expand...

Nope it is historically and traditional well known flying the flag upside down is a distress call.

War veterans are asking Americans across the country to fly their flags upside down this Fourth of July weekend. They say its a sign of distress and a protest against the Veterans Administration.

A small group of veterans picketed outside the Canandaigua VA Hospital Wednesday afternoon. They were protesting the closing of VA hospitals across the country. They say those that aren't closing are being sold off or leased to outside interests, depriving veterans the treatment they have earned.

Displaying the American flag upside down, however, is considered by some to be disrespectful.

We're not disgracing the flag but telling the public be on the alert, said Gene Simes, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. This is a distress call."

The vets believe their message is not being received.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I bolded the part that is not from the link you provided. I assume it is opinion, correct?

I recognized in my post that it is a distress call, but he wasn't under any distress. He isn't using it to bring notice to veterans rights, he is protesting the fact that he can't have a god damned liquor license. It was disrespectful. He knows it. The cops knew it, I know it and you know it.

When not in actual distress, flying the flag upside down is a desecration.

Click to expand...

Who decides what is distress? That is where the problem lies. Not to long ago here in Iowa in a small town a man's property was being stolen from him. He displayed the flag upside down. He was arrested for flying the flag as a distress call. The arrest did not stand. All it did arrested that man "a veteran" was show what our society has become as far as some are concerned. Theft from a citizen is okay dokey if one agrees with what is happening regardless of the law.

* Is it okay to display the flag upside down to protest the war, the economy, the election, crime, liquor licenses, etc.?

The Flag Code states, "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property." It is an unreasonable stretch to argue that the political purposes constitute "dire distress." Clearly this was intended as a call for immediate emergency assistance. We recommend that people who wish to express their political views find a way to do so that is respectful of the flag. Remember that to some the flag represents the government of the US and its policies; but it also represents the sacrifices made in all generations to protect our freedoms. It represents the promise of the Declaration. It represents our freedom of speech and our freedom to practice or not practice religion as we choose. It represents one nation in its stength and glory. It represents faith in a better future. We recommend that you show your respect for the country and for the flag and make your political views known in other ways. It is not illegal, it is disrespectful to the memory of those who gave their lives protecting your freedom to protest.

* In the News:: Dispute Over Flag Protest Erupts in Wisc. Village [July 10, 2009]

* In the News:: Veterans group with a gripe upends the Stars and Stripes [June 26, 2009]

If y'all are going to be so picky about the flag then get after the importers that are not licensed to copy the flag. Is your flag an official flag? Is it an American made flag? If so you have every right legally to fly your legally made American flag upside down when you feel you life, freedom or property is in danger.

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